Monogramm

Monogramm: Sire of Significance

by Mary Jane Parkinson

In April 1985, when Kay Patterson delivered a chestnut colt out of *Monogramma, she immediately saw greatness. “He was absolutely exotic, particularly in the head,” Kay remembers. “Through the mating of Negatraz and *Monogramma, the *Monogramma ‘pretty’ just got prettier, and Monogramm met all my expectations. He was all there, just raring to go.”
When Bill and Meredith Bishop walked the Patterson pastures the following year, they immediately saw promise and a colt they couldn’t live without. Soon Monogramm was in the Bishop Lane pastures at Sebastopol, California.

In May 1987, at the Santa Barbara Spring Show, Judge Cecile Hetzel Dunn saw Monogramm’s star quality, made him Reserve Champion Stallion, and noted of him: “Just the epitome of Arabian type and beauty, along with that incredible athletic ability. So much presence and such a show horse — he took my breath away. An outstanding horse for our breed.” In October 1988, at the U.S. Nationals, Monogramm trotted his by-then famous trot, and Nationals judges saw the same qualities and named him National Reserve Champion Futurity Colt. By that time, Monogramm had added the Pacific Coast Champion Stallion title and had his first foal crop (ten foals) on the ground.

Two visitors from Poland — then-Director Ignacy Jaworowski of Michalow Stud and then-Inspector of Horse Breeding Izabella Zawadzka — made their own quiet mental notes on the Monogramm presence and motion at the Nationals. They not only saw; they envisioned. They pictured Monogramm in the stallion barn at Michalow Stud in Poland, slated to be bred to Michalow’s finest mares. “We just couldn’t forget Monogramm,” Izabella recalled in 1995. “Aside from the excitement of the colt, his pedigree was an answer to our long search for a *Bask son or grandson who traced in tail female to the legendary Mammona.” As a grandson of *Bask and a great-grandson of Mammona (both bred in Poland), Monogramm fit the pedigree prescription.

To further the vision, the Poles attended Scottsdale 1992 where they were introduced to the Bishops and broached the subject of bringing Monogramm to Michalow for a breeding season. Although the Bishops recognized that the lease would give Monogramm unparalleled opportunities to sire, they were reluctant to let him go, as he was prospering as an American show horse and a sire. American breeders noticed the magnificent trot and the Monogramm presence and through 1991, Monogramm had 89 foals. And he’d added two Regional stallion championships and a 1990 U.S. Top Ten Stallion title. The Monogramm sons and daughters had already collected Sweepstakes, Cal-Bred Futurity, and show wins.

But opportunity overcame reluctance and in December 1992, Monogramm was flown to Poland. “The faith the Poles had in Monogramm validated our reasons for purchasing him six years before,” says Bill Bishop. “Here were the breeders that we most respected who were honoring Monogramm’s heritage by requesting him for their program.”

Scott Benjamin, an animal scientist working at Michalow in the early 1990s, recalls Monogramm’s arrival at Michalow: “I traveled with then-Stud Manager Jerzy Bialobok to Amsterdam to pick up Monogramm in December 1992, a long arduous trip as Polish and East German roads were still in abysmal shape and long waits were customary at the German border to the West. Monogramm arrived in remarkably good shape, full of his customary vigor and enthusiasm. He was certainly the brightest-eyed of all the equine (and human) passengers who made the trip from the States. He traveled to Poland as the consummate gentleman, alongside a two-year-old filly. We arrived at Michalow the following day near dusk. Poland in early winter — cold, grey, damp, and muddy — is not a glamorous place by any stretch of the imagination. The entire directorship of the stud had turned out for our arrival. Of those waiting, only Director Jaworowski had seen Monogramm in the flesh and there was great anticipation (and a little skepticism) of his much heralded beauty as well as high expectation for his genetic contribution to the stud. The most anxious was the brilliant and steadfast Urszula Bialobok, the pillar of Michalow. I remember backing Monogramm off the trailer and the hush that fell over these seasoned horsemen and horsewomen. Monogramm’s radiant exuberance and arresting Arabian beauty were otherwordly in the soft light of the fading midwinter sun. Soon Urszula’s expectation gave way to tears of joy and hearty laughter so infectious that the entire gathering joined in her admiration and laughter.”

Forty-five Monogramms were foaled at Michalow in 1994, and a private breeder bred two. After a look at that first foal crop — which included such notables as *Ganges, Ekstern, Kordelas, *El Mundo, Ekscella, and *Zagrobla — Director Jaworowski noted: “It is with the utmost confidence that I say that the lease of Monogramm was very successful. We recognize more than ever his ability to pass on his qualities of charisma, harmonious build, and his own unforgettable look of quality, refinement, and presence. Most important, we expect the same of successive generations.” A second-year lease was negotiated, along with arrangements for maintaining frozen semen at Michalow.

“In 1994 and 1995, Michalow was simply electric with excitement as each new Monogramm was foaled,” Scott recalls. “Director Jaworowski was acknowledged as a breeding genius. He was certainly well rewarded for putting his breeder reputation on the line. (The other state studs refused to send mares to Monogramm. Michalow endured the disdain throughout the 1993 breeding season. Now, it is Director Jaworowski and the Bialoboks who have the last laugh.)”

Director Jaworowski’s expectations all came true — on a worldwide basis. The Monogramms were first presented at the 1995 Polish National Show where they took four of the first five places in Yearling Fillies, and the Monogramm daughter *Zagrobla went National Reserve Champion Filly. The Monogramms have been in the National Championships ranks ever since except for one year.

The 2000 Polish National Show became Monogramm’s show, as the sire of the National Senior Champion Stallion Ekstern (x Ernestyna by *Piechur) and the National Reserve Champion Mare *Kwestura (x Kwesta by Pesennik), and Monogramm was easily the most influential sire of the show, both through his get and grandget.

All that was prelude to the wins of Monogramm get at the Polish National Show 2001. His son *Ganges was National Senior Champion Stallion; his daughters Ekscella and *Kwestura were named National Senior Champion Mare and Reserve, respectively; and Monogramm sons and daughters won seven top fives. To frost the Monogramm cake, the first Monogramm grandget (sired by his sons) made their marks at this show as well, with the two *Ganges daughters *Diaspora and *Drzewica winning top fives, and an Ekstern daughter, Wilga, as a Top Five. Further, a Monogramm granddaughter, Emira (Laheeb x Embra by Monogramm), went Junior Champion Filly and Best in Show. Altogether, in seven years of competition, Monogramm sons and daughters have won these Polish National titles: nine Championships, five Reserves, and 55 Top Fives.

“Monogramm must rightly be considered one of the greatest sires in the history of Polish breeding,” Scott observes. “What he was able to accomplish in just two seasons (plus 16 more foals with frozen semen over the next three years) at only one of the state studs is nothing short of legendary. Of the 112 Monogramms foaled in Poland, 21 have major championships in national and international competition.” Compare Monogramm’s record with Partner who stood at stud for 20 breeding seasons and covered mares at all four studs; with Palas, 18 seasons and four studs; *Eukaliptus, 17 seasons and three studs; and *Bandos, 15 seasons and three studs.

“Monogramm daughters are undeniably the most beautiful group of mares to be found anywhere in Poland,” says Scott. “Michalow has always been world renowned for the quality and beauty of it’s mares — I do not believe there is a more complete collection of grace, quality and femininity anywhere else in the world. Amazingly, Monogramm was able to raise that standard to a new unexcelled level. You simply cannot believe the beauty by which you are surrounded at Michalow — a leisurely walk through the pastures or down the barn aisles is the ultimate breeder’s delight. This stunning goup of mares is the very essence of Arabian preeminence.”

In the United States, in spite of an absence of two years, Monogramm has a lifetime total of 227 foals (mostly chestnuts) and is recognized as the sire of 13 purebred and 11 partbred National winners in halter and performance. At the regional level, Monogramm is the sire of 57 purebred and partbred winners in virtually every discipline in which Arabian horses compete, from English pleasure to dressage, reining, jumpers, and working cow horse. “Not only have his get scored major wins in the open divisions of nearly all these divisions, they have been equally successful in amateur owner and junior owner divisions,” says Scott Benjamin, now promotional director for Bishop Lane Farm. “This, perhaps more than anything else, is the greatest testament to Monogramm’s ability to sire trainable, highly adaptable and versatile Arabians. Altogether, Monogramm has sired 82 champions in both North America and Europe.” (See the chart for Monogramm champions and reserves.)

One of the best examples of the Monogramm siring strength also grazes the Bishop Lane pastures. He’s Concensus (x Opalesce by *Bandos PASB), U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt, National Reserve Champion Stallion, and National Champion Sidesaddle English (unanimous), along with Top Tens in English Pleasure and Stallion Halter.

The Monogramm message goes on with his grandget. Twelve purebreds have U.S. and Canadian National wins. Again, Concensus shines, as the sire of six of the eight purebreds sired by Monogramm sons and of seven Half-Arabians, who have earned titles in both halter and performance. The wins of his get put Concensus on several Leading Sire charts, including second place for Canadian National Leading Halter and Performance Sires of Half-Arabians. Concensus’s dam Opalesce (*Bandos PASB x Cena by Gdansk) has earned AHW’s “Aristocrat” status as Bishop Lane’s best cross with Monogramm. Purchased specifically as a yearling to be bred to Monogramm, she has produced seven Monogramm foals, four of which are National winners.

Some of the finest worldwide recognition came to the Monogramm-Concensus line when Concensus’s son Metropolis NA (x NDL Martinique by *Muscat), bred and owned by Mike Nichols, was selected by the Poles to stand at Janow Podlaski State Stud on a lease basis this year. There he will have siring opportunities to compare with his grandsire’s opportunities at Michalow.

This past winter, American breeders paid a tribute to the Monogramm-in-Poland years when his daughter *Kwestura, his son *Ganges, and two *Ganges daughters were leased by Mike Nichols of Nichols Arabians, and Jeff Wallace and Mike Carragher of Los Angeles leased Monogramm’s daughter *Zagrobla. *Ganges started off his North American career by collecting a Scottsdale second-place stallion ribbon soon after his arrival here. All three imports are Polish and European Champions.

At Michalow, Monogramm is looked upon as the first foreign-bred sire since Palas to sire foals with distinctive “international appeal,” the sire who brought a new look to an already stellar program, the sire who made a difference because he was consistently able to raise the level of quality.

Those appreciations became most evident at the Salon du Cheval 2000 where four Monogramms won four major titles: Ekstern, World Champion Stallion; *Zagrobla, World Champion Mare; *Kwestura, World Reserve Champion Mare; and Emmona, World Junior Champion Filly. “This incredible accomplishment is likely to remain unchallenged well into the next century, if indeed it is challenged at all,” says Scott. “It is a remarkable achievement for any one breeding program to win half of the titles awarded in Paris — a fact even more astounding when one considers that each was sired by the same sire: Monogramm. This honor serves as a true benchmark for the breed, as Paris is now a highly competitive and well-established show, where traditionally the very best Arabians in the world have challenged each other for supreme honors. Add to that the joy of winning yet again in 2001 with Fallada as World Reserve Champion Mare and highest point score of the entire show and you begin to understand the significant impact of Monogramm on the world-class breeding program at Michalow.

“As a result of my time at both Bishop Lane Farm and at Michalow, I have probably worked with more Monogramm foals than any other person on the planet. I had the honor of caring for both of his biggest foals crops in Poland, 1994 (46 foals) and 1995 (59 foals), not only alongside their dams, but as one huge collective group of weanlings housed together for several months until the colts are separated and sent to another location in late autumn. One really doesn’t appreciate the true essence of animal husbandry until you have cared for foals in this manner. One learns very quickly the idiosyncrasies of each sire’s get — 50 little Monogramms teach you a lot. All in all, the Monogramm foals were an extremely intelligent and highly instinctive lot. Like their sire, the Monogramm get simply demand your respect and reverence the way anyone of royalty would — this allowance was always worth the extra effort. They are wonderful athletes and devoted companions — you just have to realize that you are ultimately doing things on their terms. They have taught me more about effective equine communication than any other group of horses with whom I have had the pleasure to work.”

At Bishop Lane Farm, Monogramm spends much of his time in the quarantine barn, part of the farm’s newly enlarged and remodeled laboratory facilities and a USDA and European Union approved facility. These stays reflect the high worldwide demand for Monogramm’s frozen semen and a change of focus for the farm, now an all-inclusive breeding station. “We are, as we always have been, a breeding farm, but no longer have outside horses other than those here for breeding or foaling,” says Shilo Bishop. “The birth of our daughter Caitlin brought about that change. Now I focus solely on equine reproduction, so I can devote more time to her. After his daily exercise, Monogramm gives Caitlin a ride; her second word was Mono and she definitely thinks he is her horse, loves to feed him carrots.” Bishop Lane has a handful of Monogramm daughters that are leased out, and all the Bishops enjoy knowing about the third generation of Monogramm breeding. Much of the farm emphasis is on fun and family enjoyment, but Shilo competes in amateur classes (and collected two Top Tens at 2001 U.S. Nationals), and Caitlin and other Bishop grandchildren assure many years of competition at Youth Nationals.

At age 17, Monogramm still inspires visionary thinking — from Kay Patterson to Director Jaworowski to the proud owners of his sons and daughters. Through his presence and stunning good looks and what has become Monogramm trademark motion, Monogramm brings out imaginative thoughts of breeding combinations and show scenes that have become reality and captivated the world. “Fifty years from now,” says Scott, “breeders around the world will marvel at the Monogramm influence — an influence of the fortuitous combination of equal doses of good luck, old friendships, good timing (the fall of communism and the opening up of international borders), and a large heaping of time-tempered breeding genius.”


Monogramm: Sire of Significance by Mary Jane Parkinson In April 1985, when Kay Patterson delivered a chestnut colt out of Monogramma, she immediately saw greatness. “He was absolutely exotic, particularly in the head,” Kay remembers. “Through the mating of Negatraz and Monogramma, the Monogramma ‘pretty’ just got prettier, and Monogramm met all my expectations. He was all there, just raring to go.” When Bill and Meredith Bishop walked the Patterson pastures the following year, they immediately saw promise and a colt they couldn’t live without. Soon Monogramm was in the Bishop Lane pastures at Sebastopol, California. In May 1987, at the Santa Barbara Spring Show, Judge Cecile Hetzel Dunn saw Monogramm’s star quality, made him Reserve Champion Stallion, and noted of him: “Just the epitome of Arabian type and beauty, along with that incredible athletic ability. So much presence and such a show horse — he took my breath away. An outstanding horse for our breed.” In October 1988, at the U.S. Nationals, Monogramm trotted his by-then famous trot, and Nationals judges saw the same qualities and named him National Reserve Champion Futurity Colt. By that time, Monogramm had added the Pacific Coast Champion Stallion title and had his first foal crop (ten foals) on the ground. Two visitors from Poland — then-Director Ignacy Jaworowski of Michalow Stud and then-Inspector of Horse Breeding Izabella Zawadzka — made their own quiet mental notes on the Monogramm presence and motion at the Nationals. They not only saw; they envisioned. They pictured Monogramm in the stallion barn at Michalow Stud in Poland, slated to be bred to Michalow’s finest mares. “We just couldn’t forget Monogramm,” Izabella recalled in 1995. “Aside from the excitement of the colt, his pedigree was an answer to our long search for a Bask son or grandson who traced in tail female to the legendary Mammona.” As a grandson of Bask and a great-grandson of Mammona (both bred in Poland), Monogramm fit the pedigree prescription. To further the vision, the Poles attended Scottsdale 1992 where they were introduced to the Bishops and broached the subject of bringing Monogramm to Michalow for a breeding season. Although the Bishops recognized that the lease would give Monogramm unparalleled opportunities to sire, they were reluctant to let him go, as he was prospering as an American show horse and a sire. American breeders noticed the magnificent trot and the Monogramm presence and through 1991, Monogramm had 89 foals. And he’d added two Regional stallion championships and a 1990 U.S. Top Ten Stallion title. The Monogramm sons and daughters had already collected Sweepstakes, Cal-Bred Futurity, and show wins. But opportunity overcame reluctance and in December 1992, Monogramm was flown to Poland. “The faith the Poles had in Monogramm validated our reasons for purchasing him six years before,” says Bill Bishop. “Here were the breeders that we most respected who were honoring Monogramm’s heritage by requesting him for their program.” Scott Benjamin, an animal scientist working at Michalow in the early 1990s, recalls Monogramm’s arrival at Michalow: “I traveled with then-Stud Manager Jerzy Bialobok to Amsterdam to pick up Monogramm in December 1992, a long arduous trip as Polish and East German roads were still in abysmal shape and long waits were customary at the German border to the West. Monogramm arrived in remarkably good shape, full of his customary vigor and enthusiasm. He was certainly the brightest-eyed of all the equine (and human) passengers who made the trip from the States. He traveled to Poland as the consummate gentleman, alongside a two-year-old filly. We arrived at Michalow the following day near dusk. Poland in early winter — cold, grey, damp, and muddy — is not a glamorous place by any stretch of the imagination. The entire directorship of the stud had turned out for our arrival. Of those waiting, only Director Jaworowski had seen Monogramm in the flesh and there was great anticipation (and a little skepticism) of his much heralded beauty as well as high expectation for his genetic contribution to the stud. The most anxious was the brilliant and steadfast Urszula Bialobok, the pillar of Michalow. I remember backing Monogramm off the trailer and the hush that fell over these seasoned horsemen and horsewomen. Monogramm’s radiant exuberance and arresting Arabian beauty were otherwordly in the soft light of the fading midwinter sun. Soon Urszula’s expectation gave way to tears of joy and hearty laughter so infectious that the entire gathering joined in her admiration and laughter.” Forty-five Monogramms were foaled at Michalow in 1994, and a private breeder bred two. After a look at that first foal crop — which included such notables as Ganges, Ekstern, Kordelas, El Mundo, Ekscella, and Zagrobla — Director Jaworowski noted: “It is with the utmost confidence that I say that the lease of Monogramm was very successful. We recognize more than ever his ability to pass on his qualities of charisma, harmonious build, and his own unforgettable look of quality, refinement, and presence. Most important, we expect the same of successive generations.” A second-year lease was negotiated, along with arrangements for maintaining frozen semen at Michalow. “In 1994 and 1995, Michalow was simply electric with excitement as each new Monogramm was foaled,” Scott recalls. “Director Jaworowski was acknowledged as a breeding genius. He was certainly well rewarded for putting his breeder reputation on the line. (The other state studs refused to send mares to Monogramm. Michalow endured the disdain throughout the 1993 breeding season. Now, it is Director Jaworowski and the Bialoboks who have the last laugh.)” Director Jaworowski’s expectations all came true — on a worldwide basis. The Monogramms were first presented at the 1995 Polish National Show where they took four of the first five places in Yearling Fillies, and the Monogramm daughter Zagrobla went National Reserve Champion Filly. The Monogramms have been in the National Championships ranks ever since except for one year. The 2000 Polish National Show became Monogramm’s show, as the sire of the National Senior Champion Stallion Ekstern (x Ernestyna by Piechur) and the National Reserve Champion Mare Kwestura (x Kwesta by Pesennik), and Monogramm was easily the most influential sire of the show, both through his get and grandget. All that was prelude to the wins of Monogramm get at the Polish National Show 2001. His son Ganges was National Senior Champion Stallion; his daughters Ekscella and Kwestura were named National Senior Champion Mare and Reserve, respectively; and Monogramm sons and daughters won seven top fives. To frost the Monogramm cake, the first Monogramm grandget (sired by his sons) made their marks at this show as well, with the two Ganges daughters Diaspora and Drzewica winning top fives, and an Ekstern daughter, Wilga, as a Top Five. Further, a Monogramm granddaughter, Emira (Laheeb x Embra by Monogramm), went Junior Champion Filly and Best in Show. Altogether, in seven years of competition, Monogramm sons and daughters have won these Polish National titles: nine Championships, five Reserves, and 55 Top Fives. “Monogramm must rightly be considered one of the greatest sires in the history of Polish breeding,” Scott observes. “What he was able to accomplish in just two seasons (plus 16 more foals with frozen semen over the next three years) at only one of the state studs is nothing short of legendary. Of the 112 Monogramms foaled in Poland, 21 have major championships in national and international competition.” Compare Monogramm’s record with Partner who stood at stud for 20 breeding seasons and covered mares at all four studs; with Palas, 18 seasons and four studs; Eukaliptus, 17 seasons and three studs; and Bandos, 15 seasons and three studs. “Monogramm daughters are undeniably the most beautiful group of mares to be found anywhere in Poland,” says Scott. “Michalow has always been world renowned for the quality and beauty of it’s mares — I do not believe there is a more complete collection of grace, quality and femininity anywhere else in the world. Amazingly, Monogramm was able to raise that standard to a new unexcelled level. You simply cannot believe the beauty by which you are surrounded at Michalow — a leisurely walk through the pastures or down the barn aisles is the ultimate breeder’s delight. This stunning goup of mares is the very essence of Arabian preeminence.” In the United States, in spite of an absence of two years, Monogramm has a lifetime total of 227 foals (mostly chestnuts) and is recognized as the sire of 13 purebred and 11 partbred National winners in halter and performance. At the regional level, Monogramm is the sire of 57 purebred and partbred winners in virtually every discipline in which Arabian horses compete, from English pleasure to dressage, reining, jumpers, and working cow horse. “Not only have his get scored major wins in the open divisions of nearly all these divisions, they have been equally successful in amateur owner and junior owner divisions,” says Scott Benjamin, now promotional director for Bishop Lane Farm. “This, perhaps more than anything else, is the greatest testament to Monogramm’s ability to sire trainable, highly adaptable and versatile Arabians. Altogether, Monogramm has sired 82 champions in both North America and Europe.” (See the chart for Monogramm champions and reserves.) One of the best examples of the Monogramm siring strength also grazes the Bishop Lane pastures. He’s Concensus (x Opalesce by Bandos PASB), U.S. National Champion Futurity Colt, National Reserve Champion Stallion, and National Champion Sidesaddle English (unanimous), along with Top Tens in English Pleasure and Stallion Halter. The Monogramm message goes on with his grandget. Twelve purebreds have U.S. and Canadian National wins. Again, Concensus shines, as the sire of six of the eight purebreds sired by Monogramm sons and of seven Half-Arabians, who have earned titles in both halter and performance. The wins of his get put Concensus on several Leading Sire charts, including second place for Canadian National Leading Halter and Performance Sires of Half-Arabians. Concensus’s dam Opalesce (Bandos PASB x Cena by Gdansk) has earned AHW’s “Aristocrat” status as Bishop Lane’s best cross with Monogramm. Purchased specifically as a yearling to be bred to Monogramm, she has produced seven Monogramm foals, four of which are National winners. Some of the finest worldwide recognition came to the Monogramm-Concensus line when Concensus’s son Metropolis NA (x NDL Martinique by Muscat), bred and owned by Mike Nichols, was selected by the Poles to stand at Janow Podlaski State Stud on a lease basis this year. There he will have siring opportunities to compare with his grandsire’s opportunities at Michalow. This past winter, American breeders paid a tribute to the Monogramm-in-Poland years when his daughter Kwestura, his son Ganges, and two Ganges daughters were leased by Mike Nichols of Nichols Arabians, and Jeff Wallace and Mike Carragher of Los Angeles leased Monogramm’s daughter Zagrobla. Ganges started off his North American career by collecting a Scottsdale second-place stallion ribbon soon after his arrival here. All three imports are Polish and European Champions. At Michalow, Monogramm is looked upon as the first foreign-bred sire since Palas to sire foals with distinctive “international appeal,” the sire who brought a new look to an already stellar program, the sire who made a difference because he was consistently able to raise the level of quality. Those appreciations became most evident at the Salon du Cheval 2000 where four Monogramms won four major titles: Ekstern, World Champion Stallion; Zagrobla, World Champion Mare; Kwestura, World Reserve Champion Mare; and Emmona, World Junior Champion Filly. “This incredible accomplishment is likely to remain unchallenged well into the next century, if indeed it is challenged at all,” says Scott. “It is a remarkable achievement for any one breeding program to win half of the titles awarded in Paris — a fact even more astounding when one considers that each was sired by the same sire: Monogramm. This honor serves as a true benchmark for the breed, as Paris is now a highly competitive and well-established show, where traditionally the very best Arabians in the world have challenged each other for supreme honors. Add to that the joy of winning yet again in 2001 with Fallada as World Reserve Champion Mare and highest point score of the entire show and you begin to understand the significant impact of Monogramm on the world-class breeding program at Michalow. “As a result of my time at both Bishop Lane Farm and at Michalow, I have probably worked with more Monogramm foals than any other person on the planet. I had the honor of caring for both of his biggest foals crops in Poland, 1994 (46 foals) and 1995 (59 foals), not only alongside their dams, but as one huge collective group of weanlings housed together for several months until the colts are separated and sent to another location in late autumn. One really doesn’t appreciate the true essence of animal husbandry until you have cared for foals in this manner. One learns very quickly the idiosyncrasies of each sire’s get — 50 little Monogramms teach you a lot. All in all, the Monogramm foals were an extremely intelligent and highly instinctive lot. Like their sire, the Monogramm get simply demand your respect and reverence the way anyone of royalty would — this allowance was always worth the extra effort. They are wonderful athletes and devoted companions — you just have to realize that you are ultimately doing things on their terms. They have taught me more about effective equine communication than any other group of horses with whom I have had the pleasure to work.” At Bishop Lane Farm, Monogramm spends much of his time in the quarantine barn, part of the farm’s newly enlarged and remodeled laboratory facilities and a USDA and European Union approved facility. These stays reflect the high worldwide demand for Monogramm’s frozen semen and a change of focus for the farm, now an all-inclusive breeding station. “We are, as we always have been, a breeding farm, but no longer have outside horses other than those here for breeding or foaling,” says Shilo Bishop. “The birth of our daughter Caitlin brought about that change. Now I focus solely on equine reproduction, so I can devote more time to her. After his daily exercise, Monogramm gives Caitlin a ride; her second word was Mono and she definitely thinks he is her horse, loves to feed him carrots.” Bishop Lane has a handful of Monogramm daughters that are leased out, and all the Bishops enjoy knowing about the third generation of Monogramm breeding. Much of the farm emphasis is on fun and family enjoyment, but Shilo competes in amateur classes (and collected two Top Tens at 2001 U.S. Nationals), and Caitlin and other Bishop grandchildren assure many years of competition at Youth Nationals. At age 17, Monogramm still inspires visionary thinking — from Kay Patterson to Director Jaworowski to the proud owners of his sons and daughters. Through his presence and stunning good looks and what has become Monogramm trademark motion, Monogramm brings out imaginative thoughts of breeding combinations and show scenes that have become reality and captivated the world. “Fifty years from now,” says Scott, “breeders around the world will marvel at the Monogramm influence — an influence of the fortuitous combination of equal doses of good luck, old friendships, good timing (the fall of communism and the opening up of international borders), and a large heaping of time-tempered breeding genius.”